Disturbing Results of Former NFL Player’s Brain Examination

Another former NFL player who had a rough ride following his stint in the NFL.

Phillip Adams, a former NFL cornerback who was accused of shooting six people to death before killing himself in April, had “unusually severe” chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease associated with head trauma and concussions.

Ex-NFL Player Phillip Adams Killed 5, Then Himself https://t.co/qM0ht5eNZY

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) April 8, 2021

The results of Adams’ brain examination were announced Tuesday by Dr. Anne McKee.

“Mr. Adams’ CTE pathology was different than the other young NFL players with CTE,” McKee said. “It was different in that it was unusually severe in both frontal lobes.”

“We have seen this behavior,” McKee said. “We have even seen homicidal behavior in individuals diagnosed with CTE. It is difficult to say that it alone resulted in these behaviors because usually, it’s a complicated issue with many other factors. It is in fact, not what I would consider unusual in this disease.”

"Mr. Adams' CTE pathology was different than the other young NFL players with CTE," the neuropathologist said. "It was different in that it was unusually severe in both frontal lobes." https://t.co/G642kTre8p

— NBC 7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) December 14, 2021

A representative for Adams’ family told WCNC that he had been “desperately seeking help” from the NFL, but because he had issues completing tasks and problems with his short-term memory, all his claims were denied.

Dr. Anne McKee compared Adams’ brain to the brain of Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots player who took his own life back in 2017 while serving a life sentence for murder.

Hernandez brain autopsy showed the former Patriots Tight End had Stage 3 CTE when his brain was examined after his death, with severe damage to the frontal lobes.

CTE is definitely real, and clearly the effects can be nasty.

The NFL must do a better job of taking care of its players during their careers, but more importantly after they’re done playing football.

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